Koffee With Karan 8- Sharmila Tagore on declining Karan Johar's 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani': 'After my cancer...'

Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore and her son Saif Ali Khan graced the couch of Karan Johar’s show Koffee With Karan 8 in the latest episode. There were lots of revelations and one of them was Johar approaching the actress for his last film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. The filmmaker and host revealed how she approached Tagore for the part that was eventually played by Shabana Azmi opposite Dharmendra.

He said, “I had offered Sharmila ji the part played by Shabana Azmi in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. She was my very first choice. Due to health reasons at that time, she couldn’t say yes but it is a regret I have.”

Tagore added, “This is at the height of Covid. They hadn’t really grappled with Covid at that time. They didn’t know the vaccine… We were not vaccinated. You know, after my cancer. So, they didn’t want me to take that risk.”

Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani marked the filmmaker’s return to the director’s chair after seven long years. Featuring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in lead roles, the film received a bumper opening at the box office. As the year-end approaches, Karan Johar has now shared a heartfelt post for his Rocky and Rani — Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. Penning an appreciation note for the actors, Karan Johar also shared a selfie with them on Instagram.

KJo praises Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt as Rocky and Rani

Beginning with Alia Bhatt, Karan Johar, who otherwise regards the actress as his ‘firstborn’, recalled how he found his ‘Rani’ after seeing her walk the set in the Flavian look.

“What followed was an actor I wasn’t prepared for…. And I can take zero credit … I will always be grateful to Imtiaz Ali for taking her on a highway of life and moulding her into the actor she finally became …. SOTY is technically her launch but her true launch as an artist will always be a highway…” he wrote further praising Alia’s potential as an actress.